Volunteer

Monday, August 27, 2012

Below is a blog post from great Friend, Maggie Ellis, in which she shares about her trip to Mexico and visiting her godchild.

The Starbursts, Jolly Ranchers, and digital camera bounced around in my drawstring backpack as my friends Kathleen, Peggy, and I walked out of our dorm area. Night was beginning to fall, but there was no chance for us sleeping anytime soon. It was our second trip down to Casa San Salvador, so everything felt like home. In the mornings we would go to breakfast, which usually consisted of leftovers from last night’s dinner. Then, we led Vacation Bible School for the chicos and chicas, where we would sing songs, perform skits about bible stories, and create endless crafts. After, we would head to lunch and then participate in activities with the pequeños like basketball, futbol, and swimming. Now, the sky was a dark indigo with a burst of bright light coming from the cage walls around a slab of concrete the size of a soccer field. Yes, this was the best time of the day. Crickets chirped and pequeños scurried around us in their thin pajamas waiting for the games to start. We continued down the path where I recognized a small boy leaping through an open area of grass. My sandals slapped the lumpy cobblestone as I ran up to him. “Josue!” I cried out as I lifted him into the air. Although it was dark, his little teeth shined brightly as a smile spread across his face. Josue was a member of my Vacation Bible School group and the cutest thing to walk the planet. When I asked him why he had been running around the grass, his face immediately lit up and responded with one word: “Luciérnagas!” (Fireflies). Seeing how happy it made him, I knew what I had to do. For the next few hours, I abandoned my fear of bugs and ran around with him catching “luciérnagas.” He was so excited every time a new bug was placed in the container that he would shake and clap his hands. When it was time for him to go to bed, he gave me a quick hug and ran off into the dark Mexican night. As the week went on, Josue and I became inseparable. I would look for him at VBS, and he would wait for me on the edge of the pool. I knew that I could get his attention by singing a Christina Aguilera song, and he knew that with one sad look I’d give him candy from my backpack. The boy had me wrapped around his little 6 year-old finger and certainly wasn’t going to let go.
When it was time to say our goodbyes at the end of the week, I gave Josue a picture of us that my mom had printed out the day before. He looked at it, smiled, and handed it back to me. “No, this is for you,” he said. “So you can remember me.” After much convincing and reassuring that I had my own copy at home, Josue finally took the picture and placed it near his pillow. The next day on our flight home to Minnesota I thought to myself, “How was I supposed to leave this little boy who had brought me so much joy? How would he be reassured that I would remember him?” I knew there was only one thing I could do. The day after I came back from Mexico, I decided to use some of the money I’d earned over the past summer and become Josue’s madrina. Ask anyone who knows me, and they’d tell you I’m pretty stingy when it comes to my own money, so it was a pretty big step for me. 360 dollars later, however, I can already tell you that it’s going to be worth it. Although Josue can’t read or write yet, I’ll still receive a picture he’s colored in place of a letter (which I will proudly hang in my college dorm room this year!). I can’t wait to watch this little boy grow up and certainly can’t wait for another trip to Casa San Salvador.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Below is a letter from Guadalupe at NPH Mexico to her godfather.Dear godparent, You will remember that 15 years ago I began my experience of life at NPH. I was only 11 years old at the time. The first time I arrived at NPH I felt happy, and I thought it was a place full of opportunities for me to find out who I was and have a professional career. I lived through many adventures in the NPH house. Before I came to NPH, I want you to know that one of the saddest moments of my life was the death of the person I had called mother. I was separated from my father when my mother grew ill. If I hadn’t had the opportunity to go to NPH, I don’t think I would have finished my professional career. In the end, the most important thing was that I became part of this family. I will never forget some of the most fun experiences of my life, which included being at NPH and breaking the piñatas during the Christmas holidays, going through the haunted house that the directors and caretakers made, and looking for hidden eggs over Easter. When I was at the house I remember that I always dreamed of studying and of being a good nurse. I imagined being a nurse in the NPH home in Haiti. Today, I have met my best friends at NPH.
Now I have completed my studies at NPH and have graduated with a degree in nursing. I want to tell you that I am so excited, and I think it was well worth all the effort. In this new chapter of my life, my plan is to put my career into action. I want to do the best I can and do it with dedication, and each day I will be a better person. I am now working as a nurse’s assistant in a hospital and also volunteering in the NPH house in Miacatlan. I would like to live in Haiti for a few years. Later, perhaps I would like to further my education, have a good job, and perhaps have my own family. But right now the most important thing in my life is to finish my year of service and keep gaining more experience in my profession. I want you to know that you have meant so much to me. Godparents, I give thanks to God for your life and unconditional support during all these years, for watching me grow and being close to me despite the distance. Your presence in my life has made everything better. Now I will say goodbye but, as always, you will remain in my heart. With much love, Guadalupe

Monday, August 13, 2012

Scott Lane, great Friend and Sponsor, shares his thoughts about his latest trip visiting the pequeños of NPH Nicaragua! The children are truly amazing, and you can get the chance to meet them when they visit the states on their upcoming tour to the Midwest. Learn more here!Reflecting on our third trip to the NPH home in Nicaragua, I am once again reminded of the faithful, loving community that is for us indeed our extended family there.
We are surely ‘one and holy’ as a Church at NPH Nicaragua. The preparations for Semana Santa were in full gear the week we were at the home. We participated in Stations of the Cross and Sunday Mass. These were of course as familiar to us as if we were at home in Chicago. We were further blessed to participate in the pilgrimage to the National Sanctuary of Jesus Del Rescate in Popoyuapa. We were amazed by all the changes from the previous year. The home now has a full time, resident priest from Spain. We renewed and deepened existing relationships with Angela, the nurse from Switzerland; and made new ones with Tina, the art therapist from Holland, and Lilly and Verena, the occupational therapists from Austria. In the past year, the home has completed the school building, computer lab, a large and modern clinic, two additional houses, and a fabulous guest house. This amazing amount of work and progress are only possible through the generous support of dear Friends of the Orphans from around the world. So many people are making a significant difference, and we are privileged to witness such faithful, loving support transforming lives child by child exactly as Father Wasson envisioned. And, yes, that brings me to the centerpiece of all the effort, support, and love - the pequeños. Everyone’s efforts are laser focused on the love, care, and development of the children at the home. While it’s hard work, it is such a joyful and fulfilling mission to be a part of. It is a highlight of our year to once again meet with our two goddaughters and their friends. We are rewarded and receive far more from the children than we can possibly give to them. Our friends ask us if we are on a ‘Mission Trip’ by which they mean building homes and other such worthy causes. We build relationships, provide support, play games, lend a hand, teach English, help with homework, and live our faith by trying to do many small things with great love. Love does conquer all and that love, every day, starts with the tias and tios that care for the children. They are at the front lines of everything that happens in the NPH family. The transformation of our children’s lives begins with them. They truly amaze and inspire us. Lastly, we are so excited that our family is coming to Chicago this fall. To welcome those, who have been so loving to us, to our community and home will be an incredible experience. Please come out to see, support, and meet the pequeños of NPH Nicaragua! “¡Somos una gran familia!” (“We’re a big family”). And, my big Nicaraguan family is coming to town! Your life might just be the one that is transformed.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Rodolfo (NPH
Honduras): Rodolfo
is
currently
completing
his
final
year
of
service
in
My
Good
Shop
at
Rancho
Santa
Fe.
He
explains
that,
“NPH
is
everything
to
me,
it
is
my
first
family,
a
place
where
I
am
happy
and
proud
to
live.
My
NPH
family
has
taught
me
to
fight
for
my
dreams
and
that
I
am
an
important
member
of
our
family
and
our
society.”
During
his
time
in
Seattle,
Rodolfo
hopes
to
learn
about
leadership
and
improve
his
English
abilities.
He
wants
to
be
a
good
representative
of
his
NPH
family
and learn
more
about
the
work
of
Friends
of
the
Orphans
and
others
who
help
NPH.
Following
his
time
in
Seattle,
he
plans
to
study
Economics
or
Accounting
at
the
university
level.
With
this
degree,
he
hopes
to
work
for
NPH
in
the
future
either
in
one
of
the
homes
or
helping
to
raise
money.
He
comments
that,
“in
the
future
there
will
be
many
more
little
brothers
and
sisters, and
I
want
them
to
have
everything
that
I
had
when
I
was
their
age
so
that
they
can
achieve
their
dreams.
It
is
because
of
NPH
that
I
am
who
I
am
today
and
I
am
thankful
to
God,
Father
Wasson
and
everyone
who
supports
our
NPH
family.”

Dora (NPH
El
Salvador): Dora
is
in
her
third
year
of
university
in
Santa
Ana,
El
Salvador
where
she
is
a
studying
Psychology.
She
explains
that,
“the
NPH
family
is
a
blessing in
my
life, and
I
am
so
grateful
to
Father
Wasson
and
all
our
supporters
who
make
it
possible
for
us
to
continue
growing
and
have
the
chance
to
have
everything
we
need.
Thank
you
so
much.”
During
her
time
in
Seattle,
Dora
hopes
to
learn
more
about
leadership
skills
and
improve
her
English.
She
is
also
interested
in
meeting
more
of
the
people
who
support
our
family
from
a
distance!
Upon
graduating
from
the
Leadership
Institute
next
June,
she
will
return
to
El
Salvador
to
complete
the
final
two
years
of
her
degree
in
Psychology.
Afterwards,
she
hopes
to
serve
NPH
as
a
psychologist
because
she
feels
that
will
be
a
good
support
for
the
children.
She
has
never
felt
obligated
to
work
for
NPH,
but
rather
does
it
out
of
love
and
gratitude.
She
says,
“I
will
always
be
willing
to
help
meet
the
needs
of
our
home.”Celson (NPH
Nicaragua): Celson
is
currently
completing
his
year
of
service
in
agriculture
and
transportation.
Prior
to
that
he
completed
high
school
and
a
professional
accounting
course.
As
he
looks
ahead
to
the
year
in
Seattle,
he
hopes
to
learn
more
about
leadership
and
improve
his
English,
as
well
as
identifying
and
learning
how
to
overcome
difficulties
he
may
face.
He
even
aspires
to
have
the
chance
to
try
his
abilities
at
ice-­skating!
Celson
says,
“NPH
is
unconditional
love.
To
me,
this
has
meant
a
place
where
we
are
secure,
protected,
where
we
can
trust
in
people
who
want
the
best
for
us
and
are
willing
to
come
alongside
us
as
we
learn
to
overcome
the
difficult
moments
of
our
past.”
Upon
returning
to
Nicaragua
next
July,
Celson
plans
to
enter
university
to
study
Mechanical
Engineering.
After
completing
his
studies,
he
can
see
himself
working
for
NPH
directly
or
perhaps
becoming
a
godparent
to
one
of
his
little
brothers.
He
explains,
“as
Pequeños,
we
can
never
forget
that
we
are
part
of
this
large
family
even
when
we
leave
the
home.
We
identify
NPH
as
our
family
and
this
makes
us
proud
and
grateful
to everyone
who
has
helped
us.”

Jacinto (NPH
Guatemala): Jacinto
is
a
high
school
graduate
and
currently
completing
his
second
year
of
service
the
NPH
home.
He
has
been
working
as
caregiver
and
is
currently
in
charge
of
the
youth
leadership
group
at
NPH
Guatemala.
Jacinto
is
eager
to
join
the
Leadership
Institute
in
order
to
improve
his
leadership
abilities.
He
hopes
to
learn
how
to
overcome
the
obstacles that
come with any
leadership
position.
On
his
application
for
this
program,
Jacinto
wrote,
“I
think
the
most
important
leadership
qualities
in
NPH
are
to
be
patient,
loving,
understanding,
flexible,
keep
the
feeling
of
family.”
Upon
returning
to
Guatemala,
Jacinto
hopes
to
study
Systems
Engineering.
After
completing
his
studies,
he
would
like
to
gain
experience
in
the
workforce
and
then
return
to
NPH
to
work
for
the
well-­being
of
our
children.